was satisfied with its sufficiency for the reception of vessels of eighty or ninety tons. To judge from the wood the land about it seemed to be very good. It lays about six miles within Matchetache Bay, and nearly nine miles from Mr. Cowan's. We walked a mile and a half or two miles further, and had a fine view of Lake Huron, then returned to the canoe and dined. After dinner re-embarked, the wind being fair, hoisted sail and arrived at our encampment about an hour after sunset.

6th. Between nine and ten o'clock left our encampment, launched our canoes, and set off on our return home. Put in at the point where we had met the Indians on the morning of the 4th instant, and His Excellency gave them the keg of rum agreeable to his promise. After some little ceremony on their part in wishing us favourable weather and a clear day, &c., we pushed off from shore, upon which they saluted as they did on the day we arrived in the bay, and we answered as before with three cheers. Paddled on and soon arrived at the carrying place brought everything across, and without halting pursued our journey, went about five or six miles further on, and landed upon an island. One of our Indians getting sick, Mr. Givens, with a white man and the other two Indians, returned to the point to bring back the sick man and get another in his place; but before they got down the Indians on the point had paid their devoirs so very strenuously to the rum keg that they had not the use of their limbs or reason. Finding that none would come with him, and expostulation being vain, he put the sick man on shore, pushed off, and joined us in the evening. Finding it too late to proceed after Mr. Givens's return, we encamped where we were.

7th. Got everything on board before sunrise. In consequence of our losing an Indian the preceding day, the one that was in my canoe was removed to the Governor's and one of the Rangers sent into mine in lieu. Paddled up the river and got over two carrying places, upon the second of which we breakfasted, the same on which we dined on the 3rd. After breakfast His Excellency and the gentlemen of the party crossed to the opposite side of the river to view a fall which could not be seen from that we were upon. Having satisfied our curiosity, we recrossed, embarked into our different canoes and pushed off. Crossed two more carrying places, upon the second of which we encamped about sunset, the one upon which we slept on the night of the 2nd.

8th. Some of the canoes being leaky were here gummed, after which we got on board, paddled pretty hard, crossed the two remaining carrying places, and half an hour before sunset got to the head of the lake, and encamped on the spot we had occupied on the 1st.

9th. Embarked after breakfast, and having paddled against a head wind and swell, arrived at Francis's Island at twelve o'clock. His Excellency did intend going from this island round the opposite side of the lake to what we had come, but finding only four days' provision remaining and not knowing what time it would take us by so doing, he judged it more expedient to return by the way we had come; therefore after dinner got on board, crossed to the main land, and before sunset encamped where we had slept on the 30th of September.

10th. Got into our canoes before sunrise, being fearful that we would have the wind ahead and wishing to cross Kempenfelt Bay before it blew too hard. Our apprehensions were confirmed. The wind began to rise, but we luckily got over the bay before the lake was too rough. Put on shore and breakfasted at Endeavour Point. Re-embarked and coasted along shore. At one o'clock put in and dined about two miles distance from the village. Having dined and got on board we paddled on and soon came abreast of the village. The Indians fired a

feu de joie, and we gave three cheers. Got round the point, put on shore in a small bay, hauled our canoes on shore and encamped in rear of the village. While we were making up the fires and preparing everything for the night, His Excellency humanely went to pay a visit to Keenees, the chief, who, as I have already mentioned, was dangerously ill when we passed on our way to Matchetache Bay, but on his getting to his wigwam he was informed that he had been dead for some days. A man possessed of less sensibility and feelings than the Governor would have been shocked on this occasion, but his were plainly painted on his countenance upon his return to camp. About six o'clock a number of squaws came to visit the Governor. Two of them carried the images of their deceased husbands, dolls about two feet long, decorated with silver broaches, feathers, paint, &c., if a chief, as was the case with one of these, (Keenees), his medal is hung to his neck, the face painted black. His Excellency gave them some knives and looking-glasses, and shortly after they retired. At 8 o'clock the Indians came in a body, and being seated around the fire, each got a dram and a piece of tobacco, after which the chief got up, thanked their Great Father, and presented him with the beaver blanket, which he spread under him. He then said: "You white men pray; we poor Indians do not know what it is, but we hope you will entreat the Great Spirit to remove the sickness from amongst us." To which the Governor replied that they should certainly be remembered in the prayers of the whites. He then ordered them a keg of rum, and they went away perfectly happy, and highly pleased that the blanket was accepted, and that they had made their Father's bed.

11th. About 9 o'clock left our encampment, embarked, and soon got out of the lake, paddled up the river about three miles, and then got into another river,1 and about two o'clock got to the landing place at the red pine fort. His Excellency, finding that John Vincall, the man who cut his toe on the 2nd, could not walk, desired Mr. Givens, his servant and me to remain with him, and that upon his arrival at York, he would send a horse to meet us at the old carrying place, for the man to ride; therefore after dividing our little stock of provisions and dining together, we parted; the Governor and the rest of the party going to York by the new route, Givens, McEwen, Vincall and myself remaining. It beginning to rain we encamped there that night.

2

12th. Got into our canoe before sunrise, paddled down the river till between 8 and 9 o'clock, then put on shore to eat breakfast, which having done, re-embarked and made the best of our way to the place where we had encamped on the night of the 28th of September, which we reached about sunset. Saw many ducks but so wild that we could not get within shot of them; killed only one mud-hen.3

13th. Mr. Givens and his servant went out very early in the morning to hunt ducks. Vincall and I remained behind to pound and boil Indian corn for our breakfast. They returned about two o'clock with two ducks only. About half an hour before sunset Mr. Givens and I went up the river to get some birch bark to make torches with to spear fish. On our way up fired repeatedly at ducks without any success; killed one but could not find it. Having put on shore about two miles up the river and got a sufficiency of bark, returned to our encampment at 8 o'clock.

1 The east branch of the Holland River. The government pine fort (log buildings, with shutters) was named Gwillimbury by Simcoe, commemorating the name of his wife, née Miss Gwillim.

2 Yonge Street, then just opened by the Queen's Rangers to this place, 32 miles from Toronto Bay.

3 The name given in parts of Canada to the bittern.

14th. Got up at daybreak, and while preparing to go to hunt found that we had but two quarts of corn, and a small piece of pork remaining. Mr. Givens and I therefore resolved to go back to the Indian village to get some supplies. After eating about a pint of corn and a small piece of pork embarked into our canoe and shortly after leaving camp, the wind being fair, hoisted sail. We were very soon after forced to lower it, as it blew too fresh, cut off about two feet of the mast, reefed the sail and hoisted it again. We shortly after met the Great Sail and his family in two canoes going to their wintering ground. We gave him some powder and shot; he gave us two ducks and promised to take care of our men until we returned. Sailed on and near the entrance of the lake we met two canoes with two Indians in each. Got eight ducks from them for powder, shot, and a lookingglass. Hauled the canoe on shore, made a fire and gum'd her. Having made her as tight as we could, we again pushed off, hoisted sail, and passing the village, landed in the bay where we dined on the 29th of September. Hauled the canoe on shore, turned her upside down and made a fire. It being late when we arrived, we had not time to get much wood, had scarcely sufficient to broil two ducks for supper. It beginning to rain and the wind shifting suddenly about, we were forced to carry our canoe, &c., to the opposite side of the fire, and turned our backs to the lake. Crept under the canoe and passed a very uncomfortable night.

15th. Early in the morning three squaws came down to gum our canoe, and the Indians bartered as much corn with us as we wanted. It blew so hard that we could not possibly set out on our return, and it being too cold to remain on the beach, went further into the woods to encamp. We lamented much not being able to return to our men, the more so as they had but a scanty allowance of provisions when we left them, although we took none from them. About two o'clock we broiled a couple of ducks and breakfasted. Shortly after two squaws came down to our fire with more corn to sell. We told them we had enough to bring us home and wanted no more, that we were chiefs and not traders. We gave them a few broaches and some ribbon, and desired them to carry their corn home. In the evening two more came on a similar errand, and we made the same reply as to the former two. They brought us a sufficiency of fire wood, for which we gave each a ribbon. They then left us and we had no more offers of corn to barter. Being sleepy we went early to bed, but were both too unwell to get any rest.

16th. Got up at daylight, tho' still very sick, but, seeing the necessity of returning to our men, launched our canoe, put everything on board, and pushed off to go to Mr. Cuthbertson's, (an Indian trader), on the opposite shore of the lake. Putting the canoe in the water was a disagreeable task, as it had frozen hard the night before and was then so cold that the water froze upon our paddles. About half way over to the trader's Mr. Givens got so very sick that he could not paddle, and as I was also unwell and not able to work now, we were a considerable time in getting across. Upon our arrival Mr. Cuthbertson received us very hospitably. He gave us chocolate for breakfast which revived us. Finding that in our then situation we could not bring the canoe up by ourselves, we hired an Indian, and Mr. Cuthbertson let us have one of his men to help us. Having got a gallon of spirits from him we started. Soon after embarking we found the canoe still leaked, therefore put on shore at the Indian village, hauled her up and gummed her. We saw there only one old squaw and a boy, all the rest having gone off that morning to their wintering ground, and they were soon to follow. At 12 o'clock left the village. When we came to the forks of the river we saw an eagle sitting on a muskrat house. The Indian in the bow fired, but in vain, being only loaded with duck shot. At eight o'clock we reached our encampment, and tho' we were appre

hensive that our men had suffered during our absence, we found upon enquiry that they had fared much better than we had, the Great Sail having supplied them with duck and Indian corn.

us.

17th. A little after sunrise Mr. Cuthbertson's man and the Indian parted with We gave them our canoe to bring them back. Soon after the Great Sail, (who had encamped on the opposite side of the river), paid us a visit, and brought us four ducks. We thanked him for the care he had taken of the men in our absence, and told him that it would please their and our Father at York, as he wished for nothing more than such mutual good offices between the Whites and Indians. This being the sixth day since we parted with the Governor, and the day by him appointed for our crossing to the beginning of the portage, we provided corn for two days, borrowed a canoe from the Great Sail, and embarked. We soon reached the stage which we had erected on the 28th, and in two trips carried everything up to our old encampment. When we returned to the stage the second time we there met two of the Great Sail's sons, who came to bring three more ducks and to bring back the canoe we had borrowed. We gave the boys a few yards of ribbon each, and had given their father at parting in the morning all the powder and shot that we could spare. They were satisfied and we were pleased. Soon after encamping and putting on the fire a kettle full of Indian corn and a few ducks for our supper, Sergeant Malley and another man of the Rangers, guided by one of the three Indians who went with His Excellency, (the other two remained behind them a short distance), arrived from York with a horse for the lame man. The Governor was pleased to send us by them brandy, wine, tea, sugar, pork, and bread. We made a hearty supper, and concluding the evening with a can of grog to his health, went to bed.

18th. The horse being missed two of the men were sent in search of him, but returned unsuccessful. The Indian was then sent and in a very short time found him. Packed everything up, made our packs, and when ready to start the two remaining Indians arrived. Parted with them at eleven o'clock and marched on. At four o'clock arrived at the Humber, crossed it and encamped, the horse being too much fatigued to proceed, having had a forced march the preceding day.

19th. Tho' it rained all the night before, set out at daylight. At 12 o'clock halted at the creek where we met the trader's tent on the 26th, and breakfasted. At one o'clock continued our journey and at three came to the spot where we had encamped on the 25th, stopped for about a quarter of an hour, then pushed on and arrived at St. John's a little past four in the evening, and slept there that night.

20th. Left St. John's after breakfast, and arrived at the camp at York at ten o'clock, having been absent 27 days, without any accident happening except Vincall cutting his toe.

No. 2.

Lt. Govr. Simcoe,

FROM HENRY DUNDAS TO J. G. SIMCOE.

WHITEHALL, 2d Octr, 1793.

Sir,

Having submitted to His Majesty the inclosed Requisitions delivered to me by Capt. Stephenson at your desire, I transmit to you my Answer to them, taken separately and in the Order in which they stand.

In Answer to the first Article, I am of opinion that you should immediately

communicate it to the Commander in Chief at Quebec, in order that such a Supply of Artillery may be sent from thence to Upper Canada, as can be spared for the present, the which may be replaced from hence by the earliest Ships of next Year, with such an additional quantity as shall be judged proper, upon the representation of the Commander in Chief to the Master General of the Ordnance.

2nd. I have already in my Letter to you of the 2d May last, given my opinion that a Company of Military Artificers may be usefully employed in Your Province. You will therefore communicate with Lord Dorchester on this Subject. I conceive that such a Company should be provincial and might be put upon the same footing & subject to the same Military Discipline as shall be established for the Naval force on the Lakes, on which I shall remark in its proper place.

3d. In respect of Mr. McGill's Commission I observe that it is a Warrant from the War Office by which he is appointed Commissary of Military Stores and Provisions in the Province of Upper Canada, and I apprehend that neither the Commission nor the division of the late Province affects the Anterior appointment of Commissary General of Quebec: But as the Military Department to which they both belong extends over both Provinces, no difficulty I conceive can arise from their division; Besides as I understand that the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury propose to account only with One Commissary, Mr. McGill's appointment must consequently be considered as a subordinate One.

4th. Mr. Small having long since received His Majesty's Appointment to the Office of Clerk of the Executive Council, my compliance with your request in favor of Major Littlehales, how much soever inclined I might be to attend to it, is for the present rendered impracticable.

5th. On the Subject of a Surveyor General for Upper Canada I have given my Opinion in my Letter to You of the 15th Augt. 1792, to which I refer you on this Occasion.

6th. It will certainly be proper to give all reasonable encouragement to Clergymen of good Morals and sound principles, and that such might not be left without support during the intermediate period before the Lands allotted for their Support become productive, all Grants of Lands are for the Present Subjected to Tythes, in order to enforce, whilst necessary, a reasonable subsistence for the Clergy. I enclose to you an Extract of a Letter from me to Lord Dorchester on this Subject dated 16th Sepr. 1791.

You will of course consult with the Bishop of Quebec on these points, and I shall at present only add that I am of opinion that it is from hence for the present that the necessary supply for the Provinces of Clergymen properly and duly qualified for their duty must be looked for.

7th. I doubt much of the expediency of settling any Strangers at Detroit or at any other place concerning which there can be a doubt of its being within the boundary Line. Such a Step might eventually embarrass us in Our future Proceedings with the American States.

8th. There cannot be doubt but that the Settlers at Detroit & at the other Posts are Subject to the Laws of the Province in like manner with the other Inhabitants, and nothing can be more disadvantageous to His Majesty's interests and to those of the Province than to raise or countenance any doubts on this head. So long as the Posts are in our Possession all Persons resident within the same must be considered to all intents and purposes as British Subjects.

9th. I am afraid that no further Steps can be now taken in respect of such Settlers as may turn out not to be bona fide Loyalists.

If they should desert the Colony no material Loss can arise from that circum